Folding collapsible storage container

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a folding collapsible storage container formed of a sheet material having a bottom panel, atop panel, a back panel connected between the bottom panel and the top panel, a lower front panel at the front side of the bottom panel opposite to the back panel, an upper front panel at one side of the top panel opposite to the back panel, two side panels at two opposite lateral sides of the bottom panel, connection flaps at the front and rear sides of each side panel, and hook and loop materials fixedly provided at the flaps, the front panel, the back panel and the top panel for securing the front panel and back panel to the flaps at the side panels and two sides of the top panel to the side panels respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to storage containers and more particularly, to a folding collapsible storage container that can be folding into a collapsed flap manner to reduce storage space.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Various collapsible storage containers have been disclosed, and have appeared on the market. A collapsible storage container is known comprising a collapsible rectangular container body formed of canvass, four top horizontal rods respectively fastened to the four sides of the container body at the top, two bottom horizontal rods respectively fastened to two opposite sides of the container body at the bottom, and four vertical rods respectively fastened to the container body in the four corners. The rod members are kept spaced from one another at a distance after installation. The rod members support the container body in shape. Further, each vertical peripheral panel of the container body has two crossed and diagonally extending folding lines.

Through the folding lines, the container body can be collapsed. The aforesaid collapsible storage container has a complicated structure. Another drawback of this structure of collapsible storage container is its complicated operating procedure. Further, because the container body is formed of canvass, the peripheral panels of the container body are not stiff. When tough and stiff materials are used, the desired folding collapsible function according to this design becomes unable to achieve. Further, this conventional design does not provide added functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a folding collapsible storage container, which is formed of a sheet material stamped into shape subject to a predetermined pattern, and then folded into a container and secured in shape by hook and loop materials. When unfastening the hook and loop materials, the container can be extended out and arranged into a flat manner to reduce the occupation of storage space. It is another object of the present invention to provide a folding collapsible storage container, which uses hook and loop materials to detachably secure a cover to the top side of the folding collapsible container body, which cover can be extended out and arranged in a flat manner when not in use. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a folding collapsible storage container, which has the container body and the cover respective formed of a flexible sheet material that can be directly folded into a flat manner to reduce the occupation of storage space when not in use.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the folding collapsible storage container is formed of a sheet material having a bottom panel, a top panel, a back panel connected between the bottom panel and the top panel, a lower front panel at the front side of the bottom panel opposite to the back panel, an upper front panel at one side of the top panel opposite to the back panel, two side panels at two opposite lateral sides of the bottom panel, connection flaps at the front and rear sides of each side panel, and hook and loop materials fixedly provided at the flaps, the front panel, the back panel and the top panel for securing the front panel and back panel to the flaps at the side panels and two sides of the top panel to the side panels respectively. A

-shaped or cross-shaped partition device may be mounted inside the container body to divide the holding space of the container body into multiple compartments. The container body may be provided with a door that has a view window and a handle.

According to an alternate form of the present invention, the folding collapsible storage container comprises a container body, which is formed of a sheet member, and hook and loop materials. The container body comprises a front panel, a back panel, a bottom panel connected between the front panel and the back pane, and two side panels respectively extended from two opposite lateral sides of the bottom panel, the side panels each having two connecting flaps respectively disposed at front and rear sides thereof; and hook and loop materials respectively fixedly provided at the connection panel, an inside wall of the front panel at two sides, and an inside wall of the back panel at two sides for securing the front panel to the connection flap at the front side of each of the side panels and the back panel to the connection flap at the rear side of each of the side panels.

According to another alternate form of the present invention, the folding collapsible storage container comprises a container body formed of a flexible sheet member, the container body having a bottom panel, a front panel and a back panel respectively connected to front and rear sides of the bottom panel, and two side panels respectively connected to two opposite lateral sides of the bottom panel, the front panel and the back panel each having a center folding line vertically extending on the middle; a bottom plate supporting the bottom panel of the container body, the bottom plate having a middle folding line extending to two opposite sides thereof on the middle; and a cover formed of a flexible sheet member and fitting over the container body, the cover having peripheral flaps extending along the border thereof and spaced from one another by a respective gap, and flexible corner clips respectively fastened to each two adjacent peripheral flaps around the corners thereof.

The foregoing object and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an extended out view of a folding collapsible storage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 corresponds to FIG. 1, showing the side panels and the lower front panel turned upwards relative to the bottom panel.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing the folding collapsible storage container of the first embodiment of the present invention set into shape.

FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 3, showing the upper front panel closed.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a partition device formed of a

-shaped plate member for the folding collapsible storage container according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a partition device formed of a substantially

-shaped plate member and a flat plate member according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an assembly view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates the partition device shown in FIG. 6 installed in the folding collapsible storage container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows two folding collapsible storage containers constructed according to the first embodiment of the present invention arranged in a stack.

FIG. 10 shows a cross rod mounted inside the folding collapsible storage container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side plain view showing two shoes mounted inside the folding collapsible storage container and separated by the cross rod according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a number of folding collapsible storage containers constructed according to the first embodiment of the present invention arranged in two stacks.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a folding collapsible storage container according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows the collapsed flat manner of the container body shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows the cover shown in FIG. 13 arranged into a flat manner.

FIG. 16 is an extended out view of a container body for folding collapsible storage container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the folding collapsible storage container according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1˜4, a folding collapsible storage container 1 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is shown made by folding a tough sheet member into shape. The sheet member comprises a bottom panel 10, a top panel 13, a back panel 12 connected between the bottom panel 10 and the top panel 13, a lower front panel 14 extended from one side, namely, the front side of the bottom panel 10 opposite to the back panel 12, an upper front panel 15 extended from one side of the top panel 13 opposite to the back panel 12, and two side panels 11 respectively extended from the two opposite lateral sides of the bottom panel 10. Each side panel 11 has two connection flaps 111 respectively extended along the straight rear side thereof and one of the two sloping edges of the double-beveled front side thereof, and fastening elements 112 respectively fixedly provided at the connection flaps 111 at an outer side. The lower front panel 14 has fastening elements 141 bilaterally disposed at the inside wall thereof for fastening to the fastening elements 112 at the connection flaps 111 at the double-beveled front side of each of the two side panels 11. The back panel 12 has fastening elements 121 bilaterally disposed at the inside wall thereof for fastening to the fastening elements 112 at the straight rear side of each of the two side panels 11. The top panel 13 has two connection flaps 131 extended along the two opposite lateral sides thereof for fastening to the two side panels 11 by hook and loop materials after having been bent through 90° relative to the top panel 13 (see FIG. 3). The upper front panel 15 has a connection flap 151 extended along one side thereof opposite to the top panel 13 for fastening to the lower front panel 14 with hook and loop materials after having been bent through 90° relative to the upper front panel 15. The upper front panel 15 has a view window 153, and a handle 152. Further, folding lines are respectively extended along the connection area between each two panels of the sheet member 1 and between each connection flap and the respective panel so that each two directly connected panels can be folded up at right angles and each connection flap and the respective panel can be folded up at right angle. Further, the fastening elements of the panels of the sheet member 1 according to this embodiment are hook and loop materials so that the panels 10˜1 5 can detachably be fastened to on another. When assembled as shown in FIG. 4, one can see the storage items in the folding collapsible storage container through the view window 153. Through the handle 152, the user can conveniently open the upper front panel 15 to access to the inside of the folding collapsible storage container.

Referring to FIGS. 5˜8, different partition devices may selectively be used and installed in the folding collapsible storage container to separate the inside holding space of the folding collapsible storage container into motile compartments for keeping classified storage items in good order. The partition device 2 shown in FIG. 5 is simply formed of a substantially

-shaped plate member. The partition device 3 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 comprises a substantially

-shaped plate member. 31 and a flat plate member 32 perpendicularly fastened to the middle part of the substantially

-shaped plate member. 31. The substantially

-shaped plate member. 31 and the flat plate member 32 each have a cut 311 or 321 extending from one side on the middle. By means of engaging the cut 321 of the flat plate member 32 into the cut 311 of the

-shaped plate member. 31, the flat plate member 32 is fastened to the

-shaped plate member 31 in vertical.

Further, multiple folding collapsible storage containers made according to the present invention can be arranged in a stack as shown in FIG. 9. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a cross rod 16 may be installed in the folding collapsible storage container and connected between the two opposite side panels so that one shoe can be received inside the folding collapsible storage container below the cross rod 16 and the other shoe can be received inside the folding collapsible storage container and supported on the cross rod 16.

Referring to FIG. 12, multiple folding collapsible storage containers made according to the present invention can be arranged together in multiple stacks are closely attached to one another side by side.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show a folding collapsible storage container in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the folding collapsible storage container comprises a container body 1A and a cover 1B. Folding a tough sheet member into shape makes the container body 1A. The tough sheet member for the container body 1A comprises a front panel 1A2, a back panel 1A3, a bottom panel 1A0 connected between the front panel 1A2 and the back panel 1A3, and two side panels 1A1 respectively extended from the two opposite lateral sides of the bottom panel 1A0. Each side panel 1A1 has double-beveled front and rear sides 1A11, two connecting flaps 1A10 respectively extended along one of the two sloping edges of each of the double-beveled front and rear sides, and fastening elements 1A12 respectively provided at the connecting flaps 1 A10. The front panel 1A2 and the back panel 1A3 each have two fastening elements 1 A21 bilaterally disposed at the respective inside wall for fastening to the fastening elements 1A12 at the side panels 1A after the connecting flaps 1A10 have been bent through 90° relative to the respective side panels 1A1. Folding a tough sheet member into shape also makes the cover 1B.

FIG. 13 shows a folding collapsible storage container according to the third embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the folding collapsible storage container is comprised of a container body 4, a cover 5, and a bottom plate 6. The container body 4 is formed of a flexible sheet member, having a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and two side panels. The front and back panels of the container body 4 each have a center folding line 41 vertically extending on the middle. Through the center folding line 41 of each of the front and back panels of the container body 4, the container body 4 can be folded into a collapsed flat manner as shown in FIG. 14. The bottom plate 6 can also be folded up into two folds, thereby minimizing the size. The cover 5 is formed of a flexible sheet member to fit over the top open side of the container body 4, having peripheral flaps 51 extending along the border thereof and spaced from one another by a respective gap, and flexible corner clips 52 respectively fastened to each two adjacent peripheral flaps 51 around the corners thereof. The peripheral flaps 51 can also be turned outwards so that the cover 5 is set into a flat manner (see FIG. 15).

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 

1. A folding collapsible storage container comprising: a container body formed of a sheet material, said sheet material comprising a bottom panel, a top panel, a back panel connected between said bottom panel and said top panel, a lower front panel extended from a front side of said bottom panel opposite to said back panel, an upper front panel extended from one side of said top panel opposite to said back panel, and two side panels respectively extended from two opposite lateral sides of said bottom panel, said side panels each having two connection flaps respectively disposed at front and rear sides thereof, said top panel having two connection flaps extending along two opposite lateral sides thereof, said upper front panel having a connection flap extending along one side thereof opposite to said front panel, and folding lines respectively extended along the connection area between each two panels of said sheet material and between each connection flap and the respective panel; and hook and loop materials respectively fixedly provided at the connection flaps of said side panels at an outer side, an inside wall of said lower front panel at two sides, an inside wall of said back panel at two sides, the connection flaps of said top panel, the connection flap of said upper front panel for securing the connection flap at the front side of each of said side panels to the inside wall of said lower front panel, the connection flap at the rear side of each of said side panels to the inside wall of said back panel, and the connection flaps of said top panel to said side panels.
 2. The folding collapsible storage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper front panel has a view window.
 3. The folding collapsible storage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper front panel has a handle disposed at a front side thereof.
 4. The folding collapsible storage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front side of each of said side panels is a double-beveled, having two sloping edges; the connection flap at the front side of each of said side panels extends along one sloping edge of the respective double-beveled front side adjacent to said bottom panel.
 5. The folding collapsible storage container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a partition device mounted inside said container body to separate the inside space of said container body into multiple compartments.
 6. The folding collapsible storage container as claimed in claim 5, wherein said partition device is comprised of a

-shaped plate member.
 7. The folding collapsible storage container as claimed in claim 5, wherein said partition device has a crossed frame structure.
 8. The folding collapsible storage container as claimed in claim 7, wherein said crossed frame structure is comprised of a

-shaped plate member and a flat plate member, said

-shaped plate member having a cut extending from one side thereof on the middle, said flat plate member having a cut extending from one side thereof on the middle and forced into engagement with the cut at said

-shaped plate member.
 9. A folding collapsible storage container comprising: a container body formed of a sheet member, said container body comprising a front panel, a back panel, a bottom panel connected between said front panel and said back pane, and two side panels respectively extended from two opposite lateral sides of said bottom panel, said side panels each having two connecting flaps respectively disposed at front and rear sides thereof; and hook and loop materials respectively fixedly provided at the connection panel, an inside wall of said front panel at two sides, and an inside wall of said back panel at two sides for securing said front panel to the connection flap at the front side of each of said side panels and said back panel to the connection flap at the rear side of each of said side panels.
 10. The folding collapsible storage container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the front and rear sides of said side panels are double-beveled each having two sloping edges; the connection flaps of each of said side panels respectively extend along one sloping edge of each of the double-beveled front and rear sides of said side panels adjacent to said bottom panel
 11. The folding collapsible storage container as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a cross rod mounted inside said container body.
 12. The folding collapsible storage container as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a folding collapsible cover fitting the contour of a top open side of said container body for closing said container body.
 13. A folding collapsible storage container comprising: a container body formed of a flexible sheet member, said container body having a bottom panel, a front panel and a back panel respectively connected to front and rear sides of said bottom panel, and two side panels respectively connected to two opposite lateral sides of said bottom panel, said front panel and said back panel each having a center folding line vertically extending on the middle. a bottom plate supporting the bottom panel of said container body, said bottom plate having a middle folding line extending to two opposite sides thereof on the middle; and a cover formed of a flexible sheet member and fitting over said container body, said cover having peripheral flaps extending along the border thereof and spaced from one another by a respective gap, and flexible corner clips respectively fastened to each two adjacent peripheral flaps around the corners thereof.
 14. The folding collapsible storage container as claimed in claim 13, wherein said side panels of said container body each have a double-beveled front side, said double-beveled front side having two sloping edges; said front panel of said container body is connected between one sloping edge of the double-beveled front side of each of said side panels of said container body. 